Janet Bick awarded Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ontario Renal Network

TORONTO, June 22 /CNW/ - Janet Bick, who champions the cause of patients with kidney disease and all those waiting for organ donations will be honoured at the Ontario Renal Network's Second Annual Town Hall in Toronto, June 22nd.

"Janet works tirelessly on behalf of patients living with kidney disease. She does her work so well because she knows what it means to face the possibility of living a life on dialysis," said Dr. Judith Miller, Provincial Clinical Director, Ontario Renal Network.

"The Ontario Renal Network exists today in large part to the energy and commitment Janet and others in the kidney disease community brought to the campaign to create a provincial approach to organizing kidney care."

Currently working for The Kidney Foundation of Canada's Ontario office as the Director of Policy and Programs, Janet will retire at the end of this month after 17 years with the Foundation.

"Janet Bick is a true champion for kidney patients and is a most fitting recipient of this Ontario Renal Network award," said Harvey Thomson, President of The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Ontario Branch. "Janet has played a significant role in systemic changes for kidney patients and their families within Ontario. She combines her own experiences with the leadership skills and tenacity required to accomplish great things in advocacy and has improved Kidney Foundation of Canada patient programs throughout her career. We are thrilled to join the Ontario Renal Network in celebration of Janet; this award is a wonderful pinnacle to her work with the Foundation."

Janet, herself is a recipient of a kidney transplant, the procedure done 35 years ago. As a member of Ontario Organ Donation Committee, Janet advocated for the establishment of a single provincial organ donation body. The result of this work was the formation of the Trillium Gift of Life Network and its related government legislation in 2002.

In addition to receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ontario Renal Network, Janet was awarded The Kidney Foundation of Canada's Bresinger Award of Excellence in 1997 for her leadership of Ontario advocacy and government relations initiatives and her work with organ donation awareness volunteer leaders.

"Janet gives a voice to the thousands of patients living with chronic kidney disease, whether it is urging for improvements to the delivery of dialysis or advocating for more comprehensive management of the disease from prevention to transplant," said Helen Angus, Vice President, Ontario Renal Network.

The Kidney Foundation of Canada is the national volunteer organization committed to reducing the burden of kidney disease through funding and stimulating innovative research; providing education and support; promoting access to quality healthcare; and increasing public awareness and commitment to advancing kidney health and organ donation. The Foundation is dedicated to kidney health and improved lives for all people affected by kidney disease.

The Ontario Renal Network (ORN) represents a renewed approach to the current provincial Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) program. ORN provides overall leadership and strategic direction to effectively organize and manage the delivery of renal services in Ontario in a consistent and coordinated manner. Our priorities include establishing consistent standards and guidelines for renal care and putting in place information systems to measure performance.

For further information: Media contact(s): Elizabeth McCarthy, Senior Advisor, Public Affairs, Ontario Renal Network, T: 416-971-9800 ext. 3339, C: 416-666-8603, [email protected]; Wendy Kudeba, Director, Marketing & Communications, The Kidney Foundation of Canada - ON Branch, T: 905-278-3003 ext. 4980, C: 416-735-8408, [email protected]